VMC 6198 TI 5/0 Jig Hook

Product detailed description

VMC 6198 TI 5/0 jig hook is a tin-plated hook for casting your own saltwater jig heads when you need a relatively short hook with room for the body of a soft plastic. Its overall length of approximately 55 mm lets you compare its reach directly with your lure. The Heavy 60° Hybrid design combines a 60° bend towards the eye, a high, open bend and forged steel. Casting your own heads lets you match this hook to the head shape and weight needed to work a paddle-tail or a soft jerkbait.

The hook comes from French manufacturer VMC, which has made fishing hooks since 1910 and still operates its own production facility in Morvillars. Wire forming, heat treatment, sharpening and surface finishing are all part of its manufacturing process, and the company designs its own production machinery. For the angler, the useful results are a precise shape for fitting the mould, strength under load and a sharp point ready for use.

Hi-Carbon steel and a forged construction provide the structural foundation of the 6198. Forging helps the hook resist opening out. VMC also uses hardening followed by tempering to balance hardness and toughness. The Needle Sharp point is ground and chemically sharpened to initiate penetration with low resistance during the hookset. The bend and body then carry the load while playing the fish. These are practical reasons to build a quality hook into a jig head you cast yourself.

The high, open bend leaves room for deeper-bodied soft plastics. With a bulky paddle-tail, there must still be space between the shank and point after rigging. During a take, the soft body compresses and shifts. If it fills the entire bend, it can obstruct point penetration. Hold the hook alongside the lure before rigging, then check that the point is exposed and the tail remains free to move. A deep-bodied paddle-tail and a slender soft jerkbait of the same length may need different hooks.

Why a 60° bend? The front section angles the eye forwards from the shank, whereas a right-angle jig hook has a 90° bend. The eye is where the leader pulls on the entire head. Its position relative to the centre of gravity therefore affects how the head tilts as you retrieve or lift it. A suitable mould uses this geometry for a particular head shape and presentation. The 60° figure describes the hook construction. The head, lure, current and direction of pull together determine the position of the soft plastic in the water.

Keeper-Hold™ refers to a flattened section of the shank. It is a feature of the hook wire itself. Its position relative to the finished head depends on the mould you choose, so check how the shank seats along with the eye and front bend. Retention of the soft plastic behind the head is provided by a cast-on keeper or a separate wire keeper, depending on the mould. Keeper-Hold is not a separate spike onto which you thread the lure.

Size 5/0 is approximately 55 mm long, compared with around 63 mm for the next size, 6/0. A shorter hook leaves more of the soft plastic free to move, provided the point still emerges in a suitable place and the body does not fill the bend. Compare this size with the actual lure rather than choosing it solely by the planned head weight. The fish-shaped heads from F198 let you retain the same hook size while changing weight within the options supported by the mould. The quoted length is for the complete hook; part of the front section is enclosed in the head during casting.

Each pack contains 10 VMC 6198 TI hooks in size 5/0. Use them to cast a batch of jig heads with the same hook. Before your next trip, check point sharpness, any deformation and the condition of the finish after contact with rocks. A quality hook earns its place in your casting when it remains correctly rigged and ready to transmit both the hookset and the load of playing a fish.

See how VMC hooks are made
The official film Life of a Hook takes you inside fishing hook production and shows the manufacturing behind the finished hook.

Watch VMC Life of a Hook on YouTube

Frequently asked questions about VMC 6198 TI 5/0

Is TI nickel-plated or stainless steel?

No. TI stands for Tin, a tin-plated finish on a steel hook. VMC uses it for saltwater applications. The steel still needs care: rinse the hook after fishing and let it dry before storing.

How can I tell whether a deeper-bodied lure has enough room inside the bend?

After rigging the lure straight, the point must remain exposed and the body must not fill all the space beneath it. Gently compress the soft plastic to check that the material can move aside without obstructing the hook. Assess body depth and softness as well as the overall length of the lure.

When should I choose 5/0 rather than 6/0?

Choose 5/0 when a shorter hook better suits the lure body and the point still emerges through its solid section. Hold the hooks alongside the lure to assess the difference between approximately 55 mm and 63 mm. Also check the space inside the bend and the hook sizes accepted by the mould.

Can I switch between saltwater TI and freshwater BN in the same mould?

Yes. In moulds designed for both series, VMC 6198 TI 5/0 is the saltwater equivalent of VMC 7161 BN 5/0. Keep the same mould and choose a tin-plated finish for saltwater or dark Black Nickel for a freshwater rig. The corresponding hook size is essential.

How should I care for the hook after saltwater fishing?

Rinse the entire rig in fresh water and dry it before closing it in a tackle box. After hitting rocks, check the point and hook shape. Tin plating provides a protective layer for saltwater use, but it does not replace maintenance or make a damaged hook fit for continued use.

→ All detailed technical information is provided below in the Product parameters table.

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